Horses and Vines

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard is the first on Sound Avenue. Look right after you pull in and see the vineyard.

Grapes go on to produce wines inspired by the rescue horses that make Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard one-of-a-kind.

Playboy was dropped off at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard one day. Turns out, he's a descendent of Secretariat, War Admiral and Man O'War.

When Mirage arrived, she was so terrified from the slaughter pen, she couldn't be approached. With a little love and patience, she has become one of the most content horses and is the inspiration for the red blend, Mirage.

Angel (left) was the first horse rescued by the Rubin family in 2007. Horses like Laredo (left), a descendent of Man O'War, have her to thank for their North Fork haven.

The gifts are too fun to pass up.

Wines Sweet Isis, Savannah Rosé, Mirage and Angel are named for horses at BHFV. All proceeds from these wines go back to the horse haven.

At the age of three, someone stopped feeding the Egyptian Arabian, Isis. Unphased, she's is a total sweetheart, making her the perfect namesake for the dessert wine, Sweet Isis.

The first vineyard you see after turning onto Sound Avenue on the North Fork of Long Island is Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard. The country-style home with pillars, a red brick walkway lined with delicate flowers and an American flag hanging out front is known for award-winning wines.

But Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard hangs its hat on more than just the wines, like the 2011 Riesling, a 2013 New York State Commercial Wine gold medal winner. Walk around back, pass the picnic tables and large tents and you’ll come to a horse haven. Sharon Rubin Levine and Richard Rubin founded Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard Horse Rescue in 2007, after laying eyes on an 18-month old filly that was within hours of being slaughtered. They took her in, named her Angel and today, every Baiting Hollow rescue horse owes their life to her. Guests of all ages come to visit the horses and tour the paddocks.

Even the wines owe a bit of thanks to the horses. Inside the tasting room where the feel is bucolic and cozy, four wines are named for the horses: Angel, a Chardonnay; Mirage, a red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon; Savannah Rosé and Sweet Isis, a dessert wine. Raise a glass to some of the Island’s most majestic and resilient animals this fall. All of the proceeds go back to the horse rescue.

Learn more about winemaker Tom Drozd in the October issue of Long Island Pulse Magazine.